Playing By The Rules (The Players)

THE TEAM WENT OUT for dinner after the game in celebration of their win and I went too. So did Joanna. Even Natalie came along because, where else was she going to go, and she was having the time of her life, surrounded by football players and flirting it up with every single one of them. Even Cam, though I didn’t mind.

I’ve basked in his love and attention all evening. Out of nowhere, he’d just lean over and kiss me on the lips, not caring who was watching. At first, the gesture always set off a reaction from someone on the team, usually Derek. But after he did it a couple of times, it’s like they all grew used to it and didn’t even acknowledge Cam’s gestures of affection.

Me? I’m not used to it at all. I’m a little shocked every time he leans in, those delicious lips finding mine in a soul-stealing kiss. He’s the sweetest man.

And he’s all mine.

When dinner is over, we cling to each other in front of the bus, Cam seemingly reluctant to let me go.

“I have to ride back with the team,” he murmurs close to my temple before he kisses it.

“I understand. I get how this works.” I tilt my head back, smiling at him. “I’ve got a lot of experience with this sort of thing.”

“How’d I get so lucky?” He kisses the tip of my nose and I squeeze him tight.

“Will I see you later tonight?”

“I’ll text you when I get back to the apartment. Actually, just go there with Joanna. She has a key.” He smirks. “Knox made the suggestion.”

“This is weird,” I immediately say, not wanting to think about Knox with Joanna in any sort of way while they’re alone.

“Get used to it,” Cam says. “They’re together. We’re together. And Knox and I share an apartment. Things are bound to get awkward.”

Ughhhhhh.

“Fine. I guess I can handle it.” I shrug, acting nonchalant, and Cam starts tickling me, which has me giggling.

“Fields!” One of his coaches is standing in the open doorway of the bus and I realize Cam is the last one still outside. “Get your ass on this bus so we can head home.”

“Wait for me.” He kisses me, his mouth shifting to my ear to whisper, “Naked in my bed. Preferably.”

He pulls away and I’m blushing. I can’t help it. It’s been a while since we’ve been together, and I’m a little anxious. Things have shifted between us. He’s completely on board. We’re in love. I get the sense things might be a little intense later.

But I’m more than okay with that.

Joanna, Natalie and I make the long drive back together, listening to my game-time playlist I put together only last night, singing along with the songs as loud as we can, the music playing full blast. We’re laughing and screaming as we sing, and once the playlist ends, another song starts playing.

“Mad Woman” by good ol’ T. Swift.

“Oh my God, I love her.” Joanna turns it up even louder, making Natalie groan.

“Me too.” But we already know this about each other. I know about the Taylor Swift lyrics tattooed on her skin and think they’re perfection. “But this song isn’t it.”

It was it a month ago, when I was so pissed at Cam I couldn’t see straight. Couldn’t imagine wanting to be with him. I was that frustrated. That mad.

That hurt.

Joanna’s gaze meets mine, her expression serious. “Let’s change it.”

She hits next and the most perfect song starts playing instead. It’s on the dirty side, but I love it. Plus, Brent Faiyaz’s voice is so smooth.

The song is called “Dreams, Fairytales, Fantasies” and oh my God, that’s exactly how I feel when I’m with Cam. Like he’s my very favorite dream come true.

Natalie is singing along with the rap parts, impressively knowing every single word, and Joanna is laughing, bopping her head to the beat. It’s only when the song gets to the chorus for the second time that I realize I’m crying.

Bawling, really.

“Oh my God, Blair! Are you okay?” Joanna’s voice rings with concern and she turns down the music, the only sound in the car my sobs.

“Holy shit, get it together girl,” Natalie mutters, making me laugh in the middle of my sobs.

“I’m j-just s-so h-happy,” I explain.

“Yeah, you sound thrilled,” Natalie says.

Joanna reaches over and tries to smack her, which ends with them struggling. Natalie reaches around me from the back seat, a couple of tissues clutched in her fingers and I take them from her, murmuring thank you as I wipe at my face and nose.

“I’m serious, guys,” I say once I’ve got myself together. “I’m happy. I swear. I just—that song got to me. The lyrics.”

“Was it the ‘I’ll put you on a leash’ part? Or the ‘hit it from the back’ part? Because that one is my personal favorite,” Natalie says.

I’m laughing again, and so is Joanna.

“I know it’s not what anyone would consider a romantic song, but the entire chorus is just so good. That’s how I feel when I’m with Cam. It’s like a dream.”

“A fairytale,” Joanna says.

“A fantasy,” Natalie finishes.

We all sigh dreamily, and I know Joanna is thinking about my brother, while I’m sitting over here dreaming about Cam.

“I need to find myself a steady man,” Natalie finally says. “You two are convincing me it’s the right move.”

“Despite my total emotional breakdown?” I ask, teasing.

“Hey, what he did for you today was pretty sweet. And a little overwhelming,” Natalie points out. “I’d be a wreck too.”

“I’m a wreck in a good way,” I admit.

“Totally,” Joanna chimes in. “I know what you’re going through. It’s the best.”

I smile to myself, thinking of seeing Cam later. In his room. Waiting for him naked in his bed. Clutching the steering wheel, I bounce in my seat, giddy with excitement.

Joanna turns the music back up to a normal decibel and we continue chatting, Natalie making us laugh when she keeps telling us stories about the guys during dinner. How she came on to Ace and scared the shit out of him. How she thinks the assistant offensive line coach is hot.

“He graduated a couple of years ago. Knox and Cam played with him when they were freshmen,” I tell them, which, of course, only excites Natalie even more.

“I should go after that dude. He’s only a couple of years older. And hot as hell.” Natalie leans in between our seats, fanning herself.

The music stops, Siri letting me know I have a text from Hottest Quarterback Alive.

Oh hell.

“Hottest Quarterback Alive says, ‘can’t wait to see you later’.”

“Ooooh,” Natalie croons. “You going to answer him?”

“Do you want to reply?” Siri asks.

“Yes!” Joanna shouts.

“Okay, what do you want to say?” Siri asks.

Before I can respond, Natalie screams, “Can’t wait to see you too, hot stuff.”

I’m dying. “Hot stuff?”

“Let it happen,” Joanna encourages. “Send it.”

I tell Siri to send it when she asks and we’re all still giggling. I don’t think I’ve laughed this much since…when? Forever?

A few minutes later and there’s another text from HQA.

“Hottest Quarterback Alive says, ‘I’ve changed my mind. Don’t wait for me in bed naked. Keep my jersey on and nothing else.’”

Oh God.

I’m beet red.

My entire body is hot.

This is so embarrassing.

But also funny.

And a little bit sexy.

Joanna and Natalie are howling in near hysterics. I check on Nat in the rearview mirror and she’s literally rolling around the back seat, clutching her stomach. Until our gazes meet and she sits up straight, her laughter dying.

“That’s hot. I want that in my future.” Natalie is dead serious.

Joanna and I share a look. Even though I want zero details, I think we both have that already.

“Do you want to respond?” Siri asks.

“Yes,” I tell her, clearing my throat as she asks me what I want to say. “We’ll see.”

“Ooh, playing it cool,” Joanna teases.

“It’s an inside joke,” I tell them, wondering if he’ll get it.

Deep down knowing without a doubt…

He will.